Manual Force Sensitive Toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A Manual Force Sensitive Toothbrush which includes a pivot section which couples a main beam section to a bristle beam section. The pivot section provides notification to user when force upon gumline is exceeded beyond the predetermined levels of force. The pivot is a manual system the connects and reconnects through the use of magnets. When magnets are in connect, the main beam and bristle beam sections provide the end user a gripping section and bristle section to carefully and effectively brush tooth and gums, adversely the force sensitive toothbrush releases upon excessive force applied against tooth and gum—creating a force sensitive section in the toothbrush as referred to as the pivot section. The release of the bristle beam section extends between 15-20 degrees from the resting plane of the main beam section. As further use, the bristle beam section bristle head backside has a thoughtfully designed indent for the use to apply an index finger to stabilize the main beam section with the bristle beam section to brush the tongue with ability to apply forces above that designed for the tooth and gum.

BACKGROUND

Development due for the need to mitigate exasperation and receding ofthe gumline thru excessive force applied to the gumline. Though recedinggumlines can be through heredity, controlling the levels of force in thebrushing process will assist in the resolution of gum line exasperation.Maintaining a design and functionality within keeping a manualtoothbrush that is cost effective. Corrective and directive instructionsto properly use for both adults and adolescents has the primary goalwith a secondary goal to provide individuals to safely and comfortablybrush teeth without further pain or exasperation of the gumline

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention and the following detailed description of certainembodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the followingfigures in which the element numbers refer to like elements:

FIG. 1A is a side view of the force sensitive toothbrush

FIG. 1B is a top view of the force sensitive toothbrush

FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the force sensitive toothbrush

FIG. 2A is a bottom view of the head section of the force sensitivetoothbrush

FIG. 2B is a side view of the head section of the force sensitivetoothbrush

FIG. 2C is a top view of the head section of the force sensitivetoothbrush

FIG. 3A is a side view of the handle section of the force sensitivetoothbrush

FIG. 3B is a top view of the handle section of the force sensitivetoothbrush

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the force sensitive toothbrush

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All documents mentioned herein are incorporated in the entirety byreference in figures. References to the items in the singular should beunderstood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unlessexplicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammaticaloccurrences are only intended to express any and all divisional andnon-divisional combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, andthe like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, theterm “or” should generally be understood to mean “and/or” and so forth.

FIG. 1A is a sideview of a Manual Force Sensitive Toothbrush. The forcesensitive toothbrush 1 may include a bristle beam section 5 and a ManualForce Sensitive Toothbrush region 2 that couples the bristle beamsection 5 to a handle region 1, a main beam 6 in the handle region 1 mayinclude any suitable ergonomic, gripping features such as indents forindex finger 12 and the like with thumb grip 18. In use, the user gripshandle 1 of main beam 6 and applies force and movement to the toothbrushin a brushing motion and a balance force of a number of bristles 4 onthe bristle beam section 5 against the teeth and gum. As force istransmitted from the user's hand through the force sensitive toothbrushmain beam 6 which includes the force sensitive pivot region 2, the forcegreater than the predetermined force will activate the force sensitiveregion 2 to disengage.

In general, the handle region 1 main beam 6 interacts with bristle headbeam 5 and main beam point of pivot 16 of the force sensitive region 2to change from state 1 to state 2 in response to an applied force onbristles 4 inserted onto the bristle beam section 5 against the teethand gum that exceeds the pre-determined force. The return from state 2to state 1 is controlled and coupled by the magnet 19 set in the bottomface of main beam 6 and the magnet 19 in the top face of bristle beam 5in FIG. 2A.

In general, as the force sensitive toothbrush is in state 1, handleregion 1 main beam 6 and bristle beam section 5 are held in contactthrough bristle beam section 5 magnet 11 and main beam section 6 magnet19. Upon force being applied to bristle head beam region exceeds thepredetermined force, the magnet 11 in bristle beam section 5 and magnet19 in the main beam 6 release, causing pivot region 2 to motion awayfrom handle region 1.

The handle region 1 pivot area 2 thickness is equal to main beamparallel arms in alignment with the bristle beam section 5. In oneaspect, the pivot region 2 may be fabricated of a material and at athickness such that it will not buckle or deform beyond the elastic zoneunder typical brushing force.

FIG. 1A in its entirety on a side view is the toothbrush handle section1 with bristle beam 5 engaged at pivot area section 2. Similarly, it isunderstood the entire force sensitive toothbrush looks no different thanan ordinary toothbrush other than the fact the pivot section 2 allowsthe bristle beam section to release when predetermined force causesmagnet 11 from bristle beam section 5 to release from magnet 19 frommain beam 6. This predetermined force causes the bristle beam 5 to pivotaway from main beam 6 making a click noise for the user to audibly hearand the pivoting release for the user to feel. Bristle beam 5 section topivot between 15-20 degrees from the toothbrush handle section 1. Anintegrated stop in the bristle beam limits the pivot between 15-20degrees. Simply pushing the bristle beam section 5 to be back inalignment with main beam 6 and re-engaging magnet 11 in bristle beamsection 5 back with magnet 19 in main beam with an audible click for theusers to hear and a predetermined rigidity of the bristle beam section 5with main beam 6 to feel.

FIG. 1A provides highlight of pivot section 2 to be detail functionalityof pivot ability. Main beam 6 contains main beam point of pivot 16 withan area per FIG. 3A main beam parallel arms. More detailed of main beamparallel arms 17 per FIG. 3B. the main beam parallel arms contain mainbeam point of pivot 16 in which bristle beam section 5 provides feature10 to engage into main beam point of pivot 16. The engagement of feature10 slides into the area between main beam parallel arms 17. Bristle beamsection 5 provides bristle beam protrusion 9 which guides bristle beamsection 5 into alignment with main beam 6 into the main beam parallelarms 17 controlled. When predetermined force causes the release ofbristle beam section 5 from main beam 6 through the loss of contact atbristle beam section 5 magnet 11 from main beam 6 magnet 19, the bristlebeam protrusion 9 glides out of main beam parallel arms 17 whilemaintaining connection at main beam point of pivot 16 and bristle beamsection 5 at feature 10.

FIG. 1B provides a front view on the handle section 1 and the pivotsection 2 in an engaged position whereas main beam 6 and bristle beamsection 5 are in contact at bristle beam section 5 magnet 11 and mainbeam 6 magnet 19

FIG. 1A includes a thumb section 18 to provide an area for the thumb togrip in opposite force and controllability to pointer finger area 12 perFIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. This control allows the user to wrap remainder offingers and hand around main beam 6. This holding ability gives the usergreater control of the force sensitive toothbrush.

FIG. 1C provides bottom view to better detail the main beam parallelarms 17 as it attaches to feature 10. Main beam parallel arms 17 end atmain beam point of pivot 16. Main beam point of pivot 16 surrounds thebristle mean section 5 main beam feature 10. The bristle beam section isguided in to main beam parallel arms 17 through the use of the bristlebeam protrusion 9 on bristle beam section 5. The connection providesfull range of motion for pivot section 2.

FIG. 2A In the bristle head beam section 3, it is inclusive of thebristle head 7. The bristle head encompasses a flat ring section 14around the bristle head 7. Flat ring section 14 to allow flat surfacefore bristling process versus a curved head. Flat ring section 14surrounds concave section 13. Concave section 13 is a recess in thebristle head to provide index finger placement. Index finger depressingconcave section 13 limits pivot ability at pivot area 2. The pivot area2 encompasses feature 10 on the bristle head beam section 3 and thepivot ring 16 on FIG. 1A force sensitive toothbrush handle 1. Limitingthe ability of pivot keeps bristle head section 3 in-line with forcesensitive toothbrush handle 1 to provide user to brush tongue withincreased Newtons with bristle head beam 3 bristles.

FIG. 2A in the bristle head beam section 3 encompasses magnet 11 atbase. Magnet 11 has a diameter of 3.30+/−0.1 mm. The magnet 11 inbristle head beam section 3 corresponds to FIG. 1B Force SensitiveToothbrush handle section 1 magnet 19. Magnet 19 in contact with magnet11 when bristlehead beam section is in-line with force sensitivetoothbrush handle section 1. In this position, the magnet 19 and magnet11 engage with a release force of 1+/−0.5 Newtons. When force exceedspredetermined Newton level, Magnet 11 in bristle head beam section 3disengages with magnet 19 in force sensitive toothbrush handle section1.

In general, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B detail the functionality of engagingwith FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. Bristle beam protrusion section 9 engaged inthe reciprocating main beam point of pivot 16 when bristle head beamsection 5 is in-line with handle main beam 6.

FIG. 2B is comprised of a side view of bristle beam section 5. Featuresection 10 extends out from bristle beam protrusion 9 on both sides. Thetop of bristle beam protrusion in aligned with the ridge 14 on bristlebeam section backside—An area of alignment 15 is detailed to keepalignment and height contained when engaged with main beam parallel arms17 for streamline look and feel.

FIG. 2B also details better understanding of bristle head depth from theside view. A depth of 3.52 mm in relationship to the overall bristlehead section thickness of 4.75 mm.

FIG. 2C in detail is the bristle beam 5 which encompasses bristle head3. Bristle head 3 consists of 36 bristle holes 4 for bristle insertion.Pivot movement is subject only the bristle head beam 5 at the bristlebeam 5 feature 10 positioned on the bristle beam 5. The bristle beam 5pivots away from the handle section 1 at the pivot area 16 from FIG. 3A.The pivoting distance is not set by any specific added feature. Tofurther explain, there is no set angle in which the bristle beam 5 willstop due to design features. Our concern was that, if a feature limitingthe pivot existed, then increased Newtons could be applied by falseclaims.

FIG. 3A is a side view of main beam 6 which is part of the main handlesection 1. Main beam 6 contains thumb area 18 and continues through themain beam parallel arms 17 to the main beam point of pivot 16. Thediameter of the main beam point of pivot holes are 2.40 mm+/−0.1 mm toreceive feature 10 as shown on FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. the underside of themain beam 6 has a magnet 19 which is 32.12 mm from the center of thehole of the main beam point of pivot 16. The magnet 19 engages andreleases from bristle beam section 5 magnet 11 when predetermined forcescauses release and reset manually. Index finger rest 12 on the undersideof the main beam 6. The area opposite the pivot section 2 is the areafor the hand and remaining fingers to clasp/hold to control forcesensitive toothbrush.

FIG. 3B is the bottom side of the main beam 6. It better details themain beam parallel arms 17 and magnet 19. It provides detail of theindex finger placement 12.

FIG. 4 is the isometric view of the force sensitive toothbrush. Theisometric puts in perspective the full design of the force sensitivetoothbrush in the closed position. The closed position is when main beam6 is connected to bristle beam 5 by means of the magnet 11 set on thetop side of bristle beam section 5 is in full contact with magnet 11 onthe bottom side of main beam 6.

What is claimed is:
 1. A force sensitive toothbrush comprising a handle (having a face side and a backside (opposite the said face side), a head with bristles (cleansing medium) on the face side for cleaning the users teeth and, gums and a backside to place index finger to keep said force sensitive in alignment to brush tongue, said force sensitive toothbrush further including a force release indicator in which simultaneously provides tactful and visual indications to the user when a predetermined brushing force is exceeded, said force indicator comprising of pivot comprised with magnets embedded and thoroughly set in said force sensitive toothbrush and head and said toothbrush handle set in-line with each said magnet. Said magnet size and magnetism set to predetermined force release. When brushing force on said toothbrush head exceeds a predetermined amount, the said magnets release.
 2. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 1 wherein comprised of said force sensitive toothbrush head re-engages magnetically after force levels return to predetermined levels.
 3. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said force sensitive toothbrush indicates releases with tactful sound indications of release.
 4. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the predetermined amount of force is between 1 and 3 Newtons.
 5. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the predetermined amount of force is greater than 1 to 3 Newtons.
 6. The force sensitive toothbrush of claims 1 and 2 where in the said force indicating region provides instant notification to a user when determined force is exceeded when the said magnets release and said force sensitive toothbrush head pivots backwards from said force sensitive toothbrush face side.
 7. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 4 wherein the said force sensitive toothbrush head will not release when force levels area maintained under a range from 1-3 Newtons.
 8. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 6 wherein the feedback includes the said force sensitive toothbrush head no longer in position for users continued use until force levels return within a range from 1-3 Newtons
 9. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 1 where if the predetermined amount of force is exceeded
 10. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 2 whereas consisting essentially of an indent on said backside of said bristle beam section allows said force sensitive toothbrush to be used beyond the range from 1-3 Newtons to brush tongue.
 11. The force sensitive toothbrush of claim 10 where the index finger is placed on said force sensitive toothbrush backside in area for index finger to keep said force sensitive toothbrush in continuous position.
 12. A force sensitive toothbrush comprising a said main beam handle connected to said bristle beam section through a force sensitive pivot section which couples the said bristle head with bristles. A system of having two state as referred to consisting of a bi-stable to carry and transmit normal loads from the said main handle section to the said bristle beam section will pivot upon predetermined load to release with tactful indicator. Further comprising of a response to exceeding the predetermined force causing the said bristle beam section to pivot away from the said main beam section. The connection of the said main beam section to the said bristle beam section in conjunction with the said pivot area through said magnets secured set in each section. The said magnets are set to hold to a predetermined force load as equated through the calculation of Newtons not beyond 3N and not below 1N.
 13. A force sensitive toothbrush consisting essential of a said main beam section and said bristle beam section and said force sensitive section with connects the said beam section and said bristle section at a said connected pivot. The said pivot section is coupled by a feature in the said bristle beam section attached to the said main beam section at a said pivot connection point at the end of further comprising of two parallel arms on the said main beam section. This creates and maintains a pivot point of failure when forces exceed the predetermined force and able to reset through the magnetic connection at the opposing magnets in the said bristle beam section and said main beam section. 